Recycling helps conserve natural resources, reduce waste and keep valuable materials out of landfills.
Most apartment buildings, condos and co-ops in New Westminster have separate bins for mixed paper, mixed containers and glass.
Place materials in the correct bin. Items that don't belong can contaminate recyclable materials and make them harder to process.
What Goes in Your Recycling Bins?
Mixed Paper
Commonly accepted items include:
- Newspapers, magazines and flyers
- Office paper and envelopes
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Paper bags
- Boxboard, such as cereal and tissue boxes
Keep paper and cardboard clean and dry.
Mixed Containers
Commonly accepted items include:
- Empty plastic bottles, tubs and containers
- Metal food and beverage cans
- Aluminum foil and foil containers
- Milk and soup cartons
- Paper cups
Empty and rinse containers before recycling. Place materials loose in the bin.
Glass
Accepted items include:
- Empty glass bottles
- Empty glass jars
Keep glass separate from other recyclables. Drinking glasses, ceramics, mirrors and window glass do not belong in the glass recycling bin.
Items That Don't Belong in Your Recycling Bins
Some items can be recycled, but must be taken to a recycling depot or another designated collection location.
Examples include:
- Plastic bags and flexible plastic packaging
- Foam packaging, such as Styrofoam
- Batteries and electronics
- Light bulbs
- Hazardous household waste
Not Sure Where Something Goes?
Visit Recycle BC's recycling guide or use the Recycle Coach app to find out how to recycle or dispose of an item.
Help Prevent Recycling Contamination
Recycling contamination happens when items that aren't accepted are placed in recycling bins.
You can help by checking sorting instructions, keeping food and garbage out of recycling bins, and taking depot-only materials to an appropriate collection location.
